Ideas for Teacher Collaboration. What Happens When Teachers Collaborate?

Beeken, Lois A.; And Others

NCRVE Professional Development Bulletin, v1 n1 Sep 1992

Research reports show that in many schools, teachers are isolated and have little chance for professional collaboration with fellow teachers. However, research also demonstrates that when teachers collaborate, instruction improves. Seven examples of teacher collaboration throughout the United States show how collaboration can be implemented and how it can be beneficial: (1) a memo board in the teachers' workroom; (2) voluntary teacher-student "conversations"; (3) common planning times; (4) summer teacher internships; (5) paraprofessionals assuming nonteaching responsibilities to free teachers for collaboration; (6) English and business collaboration in desktop publishing of student newsletters; and (7) a summer workshop to upgrade vocational subjects with applied academics. (KC)